ASUU Strike Halts Exams Nationwide as Federal Government Enforces “No Work, No Pay” Policy
Nationwide Disruption: University Exams Halted as ASUU Begins Two-Week Warning Strike
Examinations in several Nigerian universities came to an abrupt stop on Monday as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) commenced a two-week warning strike, leaving thousands of students stranded and campuses in disarray.
From Jigawa to Edo State, academic activities were paralyzed as lecturers withdrew from examination duties, forcing many schools to postpone or outright cancel scheduled papers.
“We were told through our class WhatsApp group that our paper was postponed indefinitely,” said Abdulqawiy Abdulazeez, a Zoology student at the Federal University Dutse. “No one knows when we’ll resume.”
Universities Caught Off Guard
Among the most affected institutions are the Federal University Dutse (FUD), University of Jos (UNIJOS), and the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
At FUD, students had been writing their second-semester exams since September 30, with plans to conclude by October 18—plans now derailed by the strike.
Similarly, UNIBEN was forced to suspend examinations already in progress, while at UNIJOS, students received last-minute cancellations just minutes before scheduled papers.
Some universities, like Bayero University Kano (BUK) and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), narrowly escaped the chaos, having wrapped up their exams shortly before ASUU’s industrial action began.
A student from ATBU told Premium Times that while most exams were completed, some final-year students remain unable to defend their research projects due to the strike.
Why ASUU Is on Strike
ASUU says it has no choice but to act after what it described as the Federal Government’s “persistent neglect and failure to fulfill promises.”
The union’s demands include:
- Full implementation of the renegotiated 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement
- Release of withheld 3½ months’ salaries
- Payment of 25–35% salary arrears and promotion arrears pending for over four years
- Settlement of unpaid deductions for cooperative societies and union dues
Despite repeated letters and meetings, ASUU claims the government has failed to address these long-standing grievances.
“Our meeting with the government on October 10 was unproductive,” the union said in a statement. “We are tired of empty promises.”
Federal Government Orders ‘No Work, No Pay’
In swift retaliation, the Federal Government has directed all vice-chancellors of federal universities to enforce the “no work, no pay” policy against lecturers participating in the strike.
A letter issued by Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, instructed vice-chancellors to:
- Conduct a roll call and physical headcount of all teaching staff
- Submit detailed reports showing who is working and who is absent
- Withhold salaries of lecturers not performing their duties
Dr. Alausa accused ASUU of refusing to engage constructively with the government, insisting that dialogue remains open if the union calls off its strike.
ASUU, however, maintains that the government’s actions are punitive and counterproductive, vowing to continue the warning strike until concrete progress is made.
Students Left in Uncertainty
For many students, the sudden strike has left academic plans in limbo.
“I had my final paper and project meeting scheduled for October 15. Both were cancelled,” said Yunusa Abubakar, a final-year Economics student.
With no clear end in sight, uncertainty now clouds the academic calendar once again—reviving memories of past prolonged ASUU strikes that stretched into months.
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